My journey with CFTEA spans many years and has been crucial to shaping my banking career. Early on, I recognized that continuous education is vital to success in this industry—a belief my parents reinforced by encouraging me never to turn down a chance to learn, especially when supported by my employer.

Throughout my career, I’ve taken countless CFTEA courses, far too many to list. Some of the most impactful include Principles of Banking, Written Communications, and the Certificate in Leadership for Women. Each course expanded my skills and knowledge, helping me grow personally and professionally. Even now, as the leader of the Learning & Development team at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, I remain committed to lifelong learning. It’s never too late to grow.

I became a CFTEA instructor many years ago, teaching courses such as Principles of Banking, Law & Banking, and Consumer Lending. Teaching was just as much a learning experience for me as it was for my students—it strengthened my expertise and refined my facilitation skills. It was a privilege to share my banking experience and help develop the next generation of banking professionals.

As my involvement with CFTEA grew, I became a council member, a board member, and eventually as Secretary/Clerk. These roles helped me build lasting relationships with fellow board and council members—connections that continue to influence and inspire me as an L&D professional.

CFTEA’s impact extends beyond my own journey—it plays a major role in developing employees at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. For years, we’ve relied on CFTEA’s courses to build both technical banking expertise and core business skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership. Professional learning has come a long way—no longer limited to in-person, multi-week evening classes. Today, CFTEA offers flexible formats, including asynchronous self-study courses, virtual courses with a live instructor, and in-person classes, allowing employees to choose what works best for them.

At Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, CFTEA courses are woven into our Branch Role Progression Plans to help employees develop the skills required for various retail positions. Popular courses include Banking Today, the Front-Line Fraud Detection Certificate, and the Sales Essentials Certificate. CFTEA also offers courses across all areas of banking—from Loan Servicing and Deposit Operations to Marketing and beyond.

I’m genuinely grateful for the impact CFTEA has had on my career. From student to instructor, council member to board member, my involvement has been a journey of continuous growth. CFTEA’s commitment to accessible, flexible, and relevant education has helped me evolve as a banking professional and empowered countless others to thrive.

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